Crews with the Atascadero Fire & Emergency Services, Atascadero Police Department and San Luis Ambulance Services rescued a man trapped on a scissor lift shortly after 9 a.m. Saturday in Atascadero.
Fire officials say the man had multiple severe burns and was taken to the Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo.
The first officials to arrive on the 580 block of North Ferrocarril Road found a man nearly 45 feet in the air trapped on the scissor lift, according to authorities. The man was reportedly trimming trees and came into contact with high voltage power lines.
Officials say nearby residents reported hearing a loud explosion, followed by a power outage.
Paramedics used a ladder truck to gain access to the man and determine the extent of his injuries. Fire crews were able to manually lower the scissor lift to clear the electrical power line and safely transfer the man into the fire department's ladder truck platform. Atascadero fire crews had to work close to high voltage power lines for nearly one hour until PG&E could shut down the power, officials said.
Authorities say while the man had several burns, he was still conscious and able to follow commands.
Eight firefighters were assigned to assist with the hourlong rescue.
